Novelty cane



July 13, 1937. E. A. MATTHEWS NOVELTY CANE Filed Aug. 20, 1936 2 Sheets-Shet 1 A ttorrgys y 1937- E. A. MATTHEWS 2,087,222

NOVELTY CANE Filed Aug. 20, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fl i lle r a Inventor E. A. Mali/28w:

By W i zi or neys Patented July 13, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE NOVELTY CANE Edward A. Matthews, Lewistown, Mont.

Application August 20, 1936, Serial No. 97,051

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in novelty canes to be sold particularly at carnivals, outings, fairs, etc., and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character embodying an ornamental spinning lower portion which is adapted to be rapidly rotated when desired. I

Another very important object of the invention is toprovide a cane of the aforementioned character embodying novel means for rotating the lower portion thereof, I I

Other objects of the invention are to provide a novelty cane of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, reliable in use, compact, light in weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a novelty cane constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the invention, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 33, of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in vertical section through an intermediate portion of the device.

Figure 5 is a view in vertical section through the upper portion of the lower tube.

Figure 6 is an elevational view of the lower end portion of the spiral.

Figure 7 is an elevational view of the upper portion of the return spring with the cap mounted thereon.

Figure 8 is a detail view in elevation of one of the weighted ribbons.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a lower tube I of suitable length and material having rotatably mounted on its closed lower end a ground engaging base 2. Fixed on the upper end of the tube l is a disk 3 having anchored therein a plurality of upstanding pins 4. Secured by welding on the upper end portion of the tube I for rotation therewith is a tube 5 which may also be of any suitable length and material.

The reference numeral 5 designates a plurality of flexible strips or ribbons having their upper end portion secured to the lower end portion of the tube 5. The strips 6 may be of any suitable color or combination of colors. The lower ends of the flexible strips 6 are secured to a ring I which is rotatably and slidably mounted on the tube I. The reference numeral 8 designates weights which are mounted on the flexible strips 6 at intermediate points.

Rotatably and slidably'engaged in the upper portion of the tube 5 is a tubular handle 9. A spiral E0 is anchored in the lower end portion of the tubular handle 9 and extends downwardly therefrom through the tube 5 and the disk 3 into the lower tube 1. The disk 3 is provided with a centrally located opening II (see Figure 3) through which the spiral I0 slides freely. Spiral I0 terminates at its lower end in a substantially conical head I2.

A coil spring I3 is mounted in the lower tube I and carries on its upper end a cap I4 having a conical socket I5 therein for the reception of the head I2. Mounted on the spiral ID for actuation thereby is what may be referred to as a clutch member I6.

As illustrated to advantage in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the clutch member I6 comprises substantially fan shaped twisted wings I! which are engageable with the pins 4 for connecting the tubes i and 5 to the spiral II] for actuation thereby. It may be well to here state that the clutch member [6 is movable vertically as well as rotatably in the tube 5.

It is thought that the operation of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. When the base 2 engages with the ground or any other suitable supporting surface, the handle 9 is forced downwardly in the tube 5 for projecting the spiral I0 downwardly through said tube 5 into the tube I against the tension of the coil spring I3, the socket I5 of the cap I4 rotatably receiving the head I2. During the operation of the device the handle 9 and the spiral I 0 do not rotate, said handle being held in the hand. The clutch member I6 moves downwardly with the spiral I0 until it comes to rest on the disk 3 with the pins 4 projecting between the wings I1. Then, continued downward movement of the spiral I0 through the disk 3 causes rotation of the clutch member I6 with the result that the lower or leading edges of the wings Il engage the pins 4 for rotating the tube I and the tube 5 thereon. When the tubes I and 5 are thus rotated, the weights 8 swing outwardly by centrifugal force to substantially the position shown in broken lines in Figure '1 of the drawings, the ring I moving upwardly on the tube I topermit the strips 6 to flex in this manner. When the downward pressure is removed from the handle 9 V the coil spring I3 moves the spiral I0 upwardly and the clutch member I6 is lifted out of engagement with the pins 4, this portion of the operation being assisted by lifting on the handle 9. With the clutch member I8 thus disengaged from the pins 4 the tubes I and 5 are free to continue to rotate. The construction and arrangement of the twisted wings I? of the clutch member I6 is such that the pins 4 will ride thereunder in one direction. The handle 9 may then be pressed downwardly to give the spinning or rotating elements a fresh impulse. It will thus be seen that by the proper manipulation of the device the rotary elements, including the weighted flexible strips or ribbons 6, may be caused to rotate rapidly and continuously in one direction.

It is believed that the many advantages of a novelty cane constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although'the preferred. embodiment of the device is asillustrated and described, it is to be under- 'stood thatchanges in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts maybe resorted to which will fall'within the scope of the invention as. claimed.

What is claimed is: V l

1. A novelty cane comprising a handle, a tube structure rotatably and slidably mounted on the handle, means operatively connecting the tube 7 structure to the handle for rotation thereby, and

a plurality of flexible strips each having one end fixedly secured to the tube structure and other ugal force when the tube structure is rotated.

3. A novelty cane of the class described comprising a lower tube, a base rotatably mounted on said lower tube, an upper tube fixed on the upper portion of the lower tube, a handle rotatably and slidably engaged in the upper tube, a spiral fixed on the handle and extending downwardly therefrom through the upper tube into the lower tube, pins mounted on the upper end of the lower tube, a one-way clutch member mounted on the spiral for actuation thereby and engageable with said.

pins for connecting the tubes to said spiral for rotation thereby, a coil spring mounted in the lower tube and engageable with the spiral for moving said spiral away from said lower tube, a

ring rotatably and slidably mounted on the lower:.

tube, .aplurality of flexible strips each having one end secured to the upper. tube and their other ends secured to said ring, and weights on said strips forflexing same outwardly by centrifugal force when the tubes are rotated.

EDWARD A. MATTHEWS. 

